Rafael Touriño1, Francisco J Acosta2, Alba Giráldez1, Jorge Álvarez1, Jesús M González3, Cristina Abelleira4, Natalia Benítez1, Ernesto Baena4, Jaime A Fernández1, Carlos J Rodriguez5. 1. Service of Psychiatry. Insular University Hospital of Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain. 2. Service of Psychiatry. Insular University Hospital of Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain Research Program on Mental Health. Service of Mental Health. General Management of Healthcare Programs. The Canary Islands Health Service, The Canary Islands, Spain Research Network on Health Services for Chronic Conditions (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain. 3. Research Unit. Doctor Negrín University Hospital of Gran Canaria, The Canary Islands, Spain. 4. Service of Psychiatry. Doctor Negrín University Hospital of Gran Canaria, The Canary Islands, Spain. 5. Service of Psychiatry. General Hospital of Fuerteventura. The Canary Islands, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Internalized stigma has negative consequences on subjective and objective aspects of the recovery in people diagnosed with mental disorders. Despite its relevance, it has been poorly studied in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A sample of 71 outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who attended Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centers of Gran Canaria, Spain, were evaluated. We assessed the prevalence of internalized stigma and its possible association with sociodemographic, clinical, psychological and psychopathological variables, as well as suicidal behaviour and suicidal ideation. RESULTS: 21.1% of the patients had internalized stigma. Internalized stigma was associated with higher prevalence of suicidal ideation during the last year, higher number of suicide attempts, higher current suicidal risk, worse self-compassion, higher self-esteem, higher scores on depression, higher prevalence of depression and higher hopelessness. After multivariate analysis, hopelessness and the existence of depression were independently associated with internalized stigma, although depression showed trend towards significance. CONCLUSIONS: The association between internalized stigma and higher hopelessness, depression and higher suicidal risk suggests the necessity to systematically assess internalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia, and to intervene to reduce it.
BACKGROUND: Internalized stigma has negative consequences on subjective and objective aspects of the recovery in people diagnosed with mental disorders. Despite its relevance, it has been poorly studied in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A sample of 71 outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who attended Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centers of Gran Canaria, Spain, were evaluated. We assessed the prevalence of internalized stigma and its possible association with sociodemographic, clinical, psychological and psychopathological variables, as well as suicidal behaviour and suicidal ideation. RESULTS: 21.1% of the patients had internalized stigma. Internalized stigma was associated with higher prevalence of suicidal ideation during the last year, higher number of suicide attempts, higher current suicidal risk, worse self-compassion, higher self-esteem, higher scores on depression, higher prevalence of depression and higher hopelessness. After multivariate analysis, hopelessness and the existence of depression were independently associated with internalized stigma, although depression showed trend towards significance. CONCLUSIONS: The association between internalized stigma and higher hopelessness, depression and higher suicidal risk suggests the necessity to systematically assess internalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia, and to intervene to reduce it.